GI Infections and Handwashing

Hello everyone,

This week in lecture we covered gastrointestinal infections.  A few common GI infection we discussed was infections with the bacteria Salmonella spp., Shigella spp. Escherichia coli, and Campylobacter spp.. Most infections occur through what is called the fecal-oral route, in which trace amounts of infected fecal particles are unintentionally consumed. Although this sounds impossible in a society with good sanitation, something as simple as poor hand washing habits after using the restroom can spread diseases to other people through door knobs, shared hand towels, or direct contact. If the recipient happens to touch their mouth or food, they may become infected. Certainly, infected food preparation areas or food preparers in restaurants are also potential sources of illness. Diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and dysentery are some of the most common symptoms. Diarrheal infections are highly contagious. They can spread from person to person via the routes mentioned earlier and most cases are contagious for as long as a person has diarrhea, but some infections can be contagious for even longer. Through excellent hygiene, clean drinking water, and safe food preparation, most gastrointestinal infections can be avoided. The most effective way to prevent contagious diarrheal infections and most gastrointestinal infections is to wash your hands frequently. As simple as that sound, most people do not wash their hands well enough or often enough to prevent the spread of disease. A 2006 American Society of Microbiology study revealed that after using the toile only 75 percent of women and 50 percent of men wash their hands and, of middle and high school student only 33 percent females and 8 percent of males wash their hands. Because of these statistics I have included some links from CDC and Mayo Clinic that will provide information on the importance of hand washing as well as proper hand washing techniques. As future laboratorians we will be in constant contact with infectious agents and this is one way we can keep ourselves as well as our family’s and community safe by preventing the spread of disease. 

Until next time, check out the links below, comment, and post!
Thanks for reading!!!

Hand washing Do’s and Don’ts – http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hand-washing/HQ00407
Wash Your Hands – http://www.cdc.gov/features/handwashing/index.html
Hand Washing in Healthcare Settings – http://www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/
Hand Washing Saves Lives – http://www.cdc.gov/Features/HandHygiene/

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